Dementia Archives - A Beautiful Voice

Leadership Matters
Riane Eisler: Leading the shift from a dominator culture to a partnership culture

Reprinted from August 29, 2022 Since her 1987 publication of The Chalice and the Blade, I have followed the work of Riane Eisler, JD, social scientist, attorney, and author. “Partnerism,” a word which she has introduced, is a model for creating a more equitable, sustainable, and less violent world based on partnership [...]

Susan Troyer2026-09-06T17:10:53-05:00September 6th, 2026|Categories: Creating Community|Tags: Alzheimer's, Becoming a partnership culture, Caregivers, Dementia, Dr. Riane Eisler, Lucy Garrick, TheSystemsThinker.com|0 Comments

Our core values matter
See me – hear me

Dear friends, We are holding this space for “transforming thoughts.” All are included here because the message is about caring for someone living with dementia. The message speaks to the monumental need for societal change in our approach to caring for older people. From old narratives To new narratives. [...]

Susan Troyer2026-09-01T20:18:43-05:00September 1st, 2026|Categories: Mindful Presence|Tags: Actionable steps to transform dementia care, Alzheimer's, Caregivers, Dementia, How core values matter in dementia care|0 Comments

Ms. Digest for Dementia Carers
The Science They Didn’t Want You to See: Alzheimer’s research fraud — and what caregivers deserve to know

Editor's Note: This article begins a three-part series examining the human and global consequences of our reliance on pharmaceuticals. Part One begins inside one family—with a medication that was intended to help my mother but instead placed her life at risk. Part Two turns to the work of Riane Eisler [...]

Susan Troyer2026-09-06T15:54:32-05:00August 29th, 2026|Categories: Creating Community|Tags: Alzheimer's, Alzheimer's research fraud, American reliance on pharmaceuticals, Amyloid beta plaques build up in the brain, Amyloid research scandal, Big pharma, Caregivers, Dementia, Dr. David Perlmutter broadcast, Investigative journalist Charles Piller, Key whistleblower Matthew Schrag MD at Vanderbilt, Neuroscientist Karl Herrup, Side effects of Aricept|0 Comments

Remembering Miss Ethel
How Anderson Cooper’s “All There Is” Became A Life-Saver

On the 15th annual observance of Miss Ethel's passing and burial (August 6, 2011), sharing Anderson Cooper's grief podcast could not be a more fitting tribute to her courageous walk with Alzheimer's over a 14 year period. Anderson's deep empathy towards people suffering grief and loss has made his podcast, [...]

Susan Troyer2026-08-06T16:54:55-05:00August 6th, 2026|Categories: Creating Community|Tags: "All There Is", Alzheimer's, Caregivers, Colbert interviews Anderson Cooper, Dementia, Grief, Loss|0 Comments

365 Ways to Say I Care
WAY #16 – Take a Simple Picnic to a Local Park or Lake

Why this helps: A change of scenery can be transformative. A simple picnic—at a nearby park, a lake, or a quiet garden—offers fresh air, gentle movement, and the comfort of familiar outdoor sights. This is especially valuable during the early stages when ambulation is still possible. It's a break [...]

Susan Troyer2026-08-19T00:26:10-05:00August 4th, 2026|Categories: Creating Community|Tags: 365 Ways to Say I Care, A simple lakeside picnic with aging parents, Alzheimer's, Benefits of being outside in nature, Caregivers, Dementia|0 Comments

Featured Voices Speaking Out
No Longer a Private Family Matter: A conversation which challenges assumptions affecting caregiving

Our interview with Dr. Joan DelFattore is a must-read! From her phenomenal personal recovery to uncovering outdated and discriminatory policies directing the quality of our care, how it is provided, and by whom! This is tremendously important research on inequities in the health care system which are based on stereotypes [...]

Susan Troyer2026-07-28T21:20:20-05:00July 27th, 2026|Categories: Creating Community|Tags: Alzheimer's, Care partner, Caregivers, Dementia, Dr. Joan DelFattore, Improving access to American healthcare, New research impacting people living with dementia and their caregivers, Sick while single: How outdated views of marital status and social support drive healthcare inequity|0 Comments

Bulletin Board Update: July 2026
This is happening now!

Introducing a new feature for readers to stay abreast of what is unfolding. Posted by: Susan Troyer Founder / Author, ABeautifulVoice.org 🌿 Member:

Susan Troyer2026-07-21T20:57:06-05:00July 21st, 2026|Categories: Creating Community|Tags: Alzheimer's, Bulletin Board Update, Caregivers, Dementia|0 Comments

365 Ways to Say I Care
Way #15: Splash Water on Hands and Feet on a Hot Day

Why this helps: On a sweltering summer afternoon, the simple sensation of cool water can be deeply calming and refreshing. This activity is especially helpful if your loved one is restless, agitated, or overheated. The change in temperature is a powerful sensory input that can interrupt a cycle of anxiety [...]

Susan Troyer2026-07-21T14:54:02-05:00July 19th, 2026|Categories: General, Mindful Presence|Tags: 365 Ways to Say I Care, Aging loved ones staying hydrated and healthy, Alzheimer's, Caregivers, Dementia, Mindful Presence, Novelty journaling, The Novelty Explainer|0 Comments

PERSON-CENTERED ADVOCACY
Most Americans prefer to die at home, but the US healthcare system often prevents it

Talking about the dying process early can be supportive for caregivers and their loved ones. Authors: Karen Lutfey Spencer, University of Colorado Denver and Jane Callahan, North Carolina Central University Ask people what they want at the end of their lives, and overwhelmingly the answers will revolve around comfort, [...]

Susan Troyer2026-08-01T21:19:12-05:00July 19th, 2026|Categories: A Sense of Place, General|Tags: Alzheimer's, Caregivers and Loved ones, Caregiving, Death doulas, Dementia, Doulas, Dying, Dying at home, End-of-life-care, Healthcare, Hospice, Palliative care|0 Comments

Ms. Digest for Dementia Carers
No Longer a Private Family Matter: The caregiving crisis hiding in plain sight — and what it’s really costing American families

Somewhere tonight, a daughter is learning to insert a feeding tube using YouTube. Her mother, who once taught her how to tie her shoelaces, no longer recognizes her face. The home health aide hasn't shown up in three days. That image stopped me mid-scroll. Not because it was shocking, but [...]

Susan Troyer2026-08-21T12:30:37-05:00June 28th, 2026|Categories: Creating Community|Tags: Alzheimer's, Caregivers, Dementia, Family caregivers collectively provide $1.01 trillion in unpaid labor, More direct-care workers needed, Policy infrastructure built for earlier time, Society suffers from "cultural dementia", Unpaid care work is not counted in GDP, Women caregivers in their late forties lose an average of $324K over their lifetime, Women provide 61 percent of all unpaid caregiving|0 Comments